“Well, it started out the same way people do, learning an instrument. Then I wanted to buy some software to layer things, and experience what that was like. I kept on, then kept on some more, and eventually made the decision to pursue things. I felt I could offer something and could become something different.”
A familiar answer to an even more familiar question....How did the band first start?
Unlike the question or indeed the answer there is nothing too familiar about Stuart Newman. His vocals provide a strangely haunting sound that blends perfectly over his raw and stripped back sounding music. You could compare him in ways to his influences which include Simon and Garfunkel and REM and a good few more, but Newman manages to make his sound very fresh.
In regards uniqueness from other artists Newman responded simply with;
“I approach things differently, make different decisions and I’m not afraid to try things out creatively. So far, people seem to agree. I also use the power of saying 'No'. I know what I want to do, and my reasons behind doing things. I think this helps me approach being more original.”
From speaking to Newman he is easily the most honest and transparent artist I have ever spoken with when it comes to his music. In comparison to some unsigned artists of our generation he has a totally different perception of the old “music industry owes me a living” view.
“I ‘released’ my first album ‘Single But Defective’ online, as a free download. In fact, all my music is currently on free download. Try it. Share it. Tell your friends. I’ve made it super easy to download and sample what I’m about. My website shows you everything. Music, videos… it’s all there. You can see straight away how I do things. The music world owes me nothing. If I’m to be an artist of note, I must prove beyond doubt any talent I have. So I will continue to try to do this. But it’s fair to say that my ambitions are as big as they could be
The achievements of unsigned artists mostly depend on their ambition. Due to such ambition held by Newman, he has created some amazing opportunities for himself. Not only has he had airplay of BBC Radio 6 but he has also very much applied to DIY ethic to his career and mailed t shirts around the world for free.
In regards the music industry at the moment and specifically the unsigned music scene I expected Newman to be rather vocal on this subject and he did not disappoint;
“I think the entire industry is going through big changes. The old are fighting to keep that, the new are trying things. I think as an unsigned artist the weight is on you. The previous infrastructure is crumbling. That needs to re-establish itself. I think it’s partially a waiting game, but you need to prove yourself as much as possible in as many ways, before people take any notice. It’s a tough road”
Newman defiantly has something very different and quirky going on and as a result I am hoping big things will come to him in the future. It is so refreshing to speak with musicians who are down to earth and have no qualms about being brutally honest.
You can download and check out all of Stuart Newman’s material on his official website here. I highly suggest you do.
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